'Yuganta' by Irawati Karve: Status – Checked!
A unique approach to the epic Mahabharata, brilliantly dissecting the lives of a few key characters.
Devdutt Pattanaik’s Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata was my inspiration to pick up Yuganta. I had also heard good reviews about it from a few friends.
What stands out is how the book encourages us to evaluate each character objectively, highlighting both their strengths and flaws, regardless of how revered they may be. A perfect example is Bhishma. Before reading this book, I was blindly in awe of his character. But Yuganta challenged me to see him from all perspectives.
As a result, I began to recognize his flaws. Many of the actions I once admired as signs of strength now appear unjustifiable—or even shameless. This shift in perspective was eye-opening and thought-provoking.
However, there are two contradictions in Yuganta that caught my attention. I wonder how these went unnoticed:
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In one chapter, the author mentions that Vidura died before Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Kunti. But elsewhere, it is stated that Vidura died along with Kunti.
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In another instance, the author says the Pandavas themselves constructed the secret tunnel to escape the fire at the palace. Yet, in a different chapter, it is mentioned that Vidura sent his trusted aide to build the tunnel for their escape.
If we set aside these two inconsistencies, the rest of the book is a compelling and insightful read.
Coming to Jaya Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik—Oh God, what a book. WHAT A BOOK!
I’m giving it a solid five stars.
Jaya clearly reflects Devdutt’s immense hard work. Hats off to him for the effort he put into making this book a true gem. Every page is packed with information. While reading, I often felt as if the characters were right in front of me—that’s the power and vividness of Jaya.
For anyone who wants to understand the Mahabharata in its simplest, most accessible form, this book is must-read.
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